Fruits of the Spirit: Peace

And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Peace. Just the word alone connotes a warm feeling, doesn’t it?

The word “peace” comes from the Greek word eirene, which is the Greek equivalent for the word shalom in Hebrew. In both cases, the word invokes the concept of tranquility, wholeness, completeness, and most importantly, unaffected by outward circumstances or pressures.

So, in both word and implication, the Bible assures us that peace is not just something we can hope for, but something we have a birthright too through Jesus Christ!

These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

What exactly is peace? In the world today we think of peace as the direct opposite of war & strife, and it is. But what about closer to home, in our personal lives? Well the good news is that God is talking about just that. In fact, He acknowledges that the world will always have times of tribulation, but even then, we are assured that peace is ours to partake of.

Now the Lord of peace himself give you peace always by all means. The Lord be with you all.

And that peace is all-encompassing! “…passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds…” I know in my own life, there are times where I have been literally overwhelmed by circumstances and have cried out for this peace, knowing that there was no other remedy to calm why nerves, relieve the anxiety, soothe my troubled mind. Do not think of peace as something ephemeral, ‘religious speak’, with no real-world application. Because our salvation bought that peace – from the moment Christ rose from the grave, there was a guarantee given to us the our lives would be free of the cares that the rest of the world goes through.

It’s also clear that this peace comes in the midst of the storm, not necessarily through the dispersion of the storm.

Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

Why would John even suggest that our heart could be troubled, or that we could possibly be afraid, unless in fact we will find ourselves in the midst of circumstances where peace is more strongly demonstrated.

As you consider this Fruit of the Spirit and it’s evidence in your life, be thankful to God that in times of trouble He is there to bring harmony, calmness, freedom from worry and fret!

Heavenly Father, our lives today are so filled with opportunities to worry, overthink situations, fall into conflict or trouble. We rely upon you to help us through these circumstances, and believe You are faithful to do so. But we know that You are also there to bring us peace during these times. Please help us not to forget to call on your Name not only to get us through our trials, but to ease our minds and hearts in their midst.